"The dungeon is really scared out of its wits because of Artemis' divine power, and now it's sending monsters to the surface in retaliation."
At the top floor of the Tower of Babel, Loki stood by the window, staring at the fake moon hanging in the night sky.
'Judas, will you make it in time?'
Loki thought nervously.
As she watched the fake moon slowly take the shape of a bow and arrow, she knew a single shot would be enough to bring an end to the surface world.
"Ara ara Loki. Losing your composure? Now that is a rare sight."
A sultry, melodic voice drifted from the shadows behind her.
An angry tick mark immediately throbbed on Loki's forehead.
"I get why Ouranos sent me here for my safety, but why do I have to be stuck with you?"
Loki turned to see Freya seated on her throne, leisurely sipping a glass of wine, with Ottar standing beside her like an unmoving statue.
Freya didn't offer a verbal retort.
Instead, she looked down at her wine, watching the surface of the liquid vibrate. E
Even from this height, the effects of the battle below could still be felt.
"The children are fighting with their lives on the line… Ottar, you should go as well."
Freya spoke calmly.
"Are you sure? It is imperative that at least one of us stays here to protect you."
Ottar replied, his voice a low rumble as he turned toward his Goddess.
"It's fine… just go and help Braver and the others."
Freya said. With a final, respectful bow, Ottar departed.
Once the doors closed, Freya shifted her gaze back to Loki.
"Is it really true that my Odr… I mean, Judas, is out there right now, fighting whatever is causing Artemis' divine power to go berserk?"
Freya asked, her eyes meeting Loki's narrowed gaze.
"Well, that's the gist of it."
Loki replied with folded arms.
At that, the corners of Freya's lips lifted slightly.
"Then it's fine… if it's him, I believe he'll resolve this soon enough, and everything will return to normal."
Freya said serenely.
'After all… he is the one I chose.'
Loki's eyelids twitched.
While she was worrying, Freya had absolute faith in Judas.
'Dammit… she got me there.'
Loki thought, feeling a rare sense of defeat as a Goddess.
'Fine then.'
With a huff, she marched over and snatched the bottle of wine from the table beside Freya.
"Hey, pour me a glass. I want a drink."
If Freya was going to put her total trust in Judas, then Loki would do the same.
…
Back in the Elsos Ruins…
Judas and the others moved through the tunnel, heading toward the chamber where Antares was being held.
"Everyone, be prepared."
As they neared the end, Artemis turned and warned them.
When they stepped out of the tunnel, they were greeted by a massive chamber, large enough to rival a coliseum.
The walls were covered in red, fleshy moss.
Thick, pulsating veins, as wide as a human body, stretched across the area as if pumping blood.
All of it converged toward the center.
There, a massive creature stood.
A one-eyed, six-armed, multi-legged monster with glowing red markings covering its body.
Like the creatures before it, it resembled a giant scorpion.
It let out a roar powerful enough to rattle their bones.
"Is that… the monster that took our goddess?"
Lante asked, her face twisting with anger.
Embedded in Antares's chest was a massive blue crystal.
Inside the translucent gem lay the real Artemis, her eyes closed in a deep, forced slumber.
"Artemis…"
Hestia whispered, her heart sinking at the sight of her trapped friend.
"Something is not right…"
Artemis muttered, frowning.
And she was right.
The problem wasn't just Antares.
Above it hovered a massive, rotating magic circle, spinning slowly like a disc in the sky.
Judas narrowed his gaze toward a glowing golden orb attached to Antares like a necklace.
"Is that… a magic circle?"
"Don't tell me Antares can use magic too?"
Lili exclaimed.
"No… the flow of magic isn't coming from Antares…"
Judas said, lifting his gaze higher.
Two figures stood in the distance.
"Helloooo! It's nice that we get…"
Dina spoke with a sadistic grin.
"…to see each other again."
Vena finished her sister's sentence.
"Are you glad to see us?"
They spoke in unison, looking down at the group.
"The Dis Sisters…"
Asfi's voice was tense, her hand hovering over her waist.
"Hey! I don't know if you got the memo, but that thing is about to destroy the world!"
"Whatever evil typical bad guy plan you've got, please save it for later!"
Lili shouted, pointing an accusing finger at the monster.
"Yeah… if we don't kill Antares in time, not just us, but you'll die too."
Welf added, gripping his magic sword.
The sisters blinked… then turned to each other.
"Oh my… Vena… what a tragedy."
Dina said dramatically, clutching her cheeks.
"Destroying the world? Big sister Dina, hold me, I'm scared."
Vena's legs wobbled in a mock shiver.
"We didn't know that… how foolish of us. Please, go ahead and slay this monster for us, oh great adventurers."
They said together, feigning remorse.
"Wait… you'll actually leave us alone?"
Belle asked, her eyes lighting up with naive hope.
In response, the sisters let out a synchronized, sinister cackle.
Looking down at the group like they were idiots.
"Of course… not… stupid!"
They said in unison, giving a thumbs down.
"End of the world? Everyone's going to die?"
Dina looked at her sister.
"Vena, you were always better at math than me. Can you calculate how much I care?"
"Hmm, let me think, Big Sister."
Vena tapped her chin in a mock-academic pose before striking a 'eureka' gesture.
"Aha! It's zero!"
"You're right, Vena. You're so smart."
"Hehe… thank you, big sister."
They giggled.
"These chicks are beyond crazy."
Welf muttered, a bead of cold sweat rolling down his chin.
"I think a few screws are loose in their heads."
Lili added.
Judas had heard enough.
Without a word, he snapped his hand forward, firing a high-velocity beam of fire toward the sisters.
But the sisters didn't even flinch nor they did move.
Rumble
Antares suddenly shifted, raising one of its massive claws and intercepting the attack.
The flames scattered on impact.
"Huh? Am I seeing things, or did that monster just protect them?"
Lante said, blinking.
'As I thought…'
Judas narrowed his eyes, focusing on the glowing orb on Antares' neck.
'No wonder Antares hasn't moved until now…'
His gaze sharpened.
'These two… they found a way to control it.'
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